TRC 2022
Happy 2022 Toronto Railway Club Members. As this year’s President of the TRC, it is my great pleasure to bring you the current status of the clubs’ proposed events and happenings for this year. As we currently await the next steps of lifting restrictions here in Ontario, we at the TRC have a positive outlook for 2022.
While the COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 and 2021 very challenging years, we would like to thank the TRC Executives and all of its members for a successful 2021 Annual Dinner. This event was a welcomed return to in-person gatherings and networking. We received excellent feedback from members, sponsors, and attendees. Many indicated they had a great time and congratulated the TRC on going forward in hosting this event. It was sold out in a few days to close to 1,000 people. We were extremely fortunate to fit it in between lockdowns, thanks to Past President Vlad and Past President Michael Sheahan, who made it their mission to make it happen.
I am ecstatic to be your Club’s President for 2022, with Rich Wong as 1st VP, Cathy Benjamin-Ostrander- as 2nd VP, and Vlad Jean-Pierre as the newly anointed Past President and a strong board that is motivated and committed to make the most of the 2022 year and I welcome everyone’s enthusiasm, especially coming off an excellent Year End Dinner at the Royal York in December.
As far as events for this year, unfortunately we have had to cancel the Valentines Dinner Dance event, and the March luncheon. With the anticipation that additional restrictions will be lifted in the coming weeks, the TRC plans to proceed with the May luncheon, and the full slate of events for the balance of the year, including the Golf Tournament, Night at the Races, The Harbour Boat Cruise, and the Steam Whistle Meet and Greet, just to name a few.
Our Virtual Event team has been working diligently to provide content and contact with each other during the pandemic. Their efforts have been a great success. With that said, our next Virtual event is Thursday February 17th, TRC Members Appreciation & Meet and Greet, we hope that you can attend and possibly come away with a great prize!
As we are hopeful that we are finally turning the corner with this pandemic, we would like to recognize and thank all of the healthcare workers, scientists and those in essential services who helped us manage through these past two years. To everyone else, stay diligent, protect those who need protecting, and stay safe. We want to see all of you at this year’s events where we look forward to networking, collaborating, laughing a little, and finally getting on with life.
Best Regards,
Joe Bettinelli
TRC President 2022.